AP Gov AMSCO Topic 1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation Study Guide

What document laid out the first form of government for the USA?

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, aka the Articles of Confederation

What year was the Articles of Confederation sent to the states for approval?

1777

What was a major issue that slowed the ratification of the Articles of Confederation?

Arguments over land charters between states.

Who convinced the 13th state to ratify the Articles of Confederation in 1781?

Thomas Jefferson.

Articles of Confederation

document that laid out the first form of government for the USA

What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

To loosely unite the states under one governing authority and define a league of friendship among them.

What system was established for representation in the Confederation Congress?

The Equal Representation System

The Equal Representation System

each state received one vote.

What did the Equal Representation System do?

It had each state send a max of 7 men to vote for: 1. national legislations 2 policies 3. international diplomacies 4. acquire territory 5. declare war 6. commerce

How many votes were needed under the Equal Representation System to make amends to the Articles of Confederation?

13/13

What did the Equal Representation System require?

states provide a public, fair government and that Congress could sit as a court in disputes between states and extraditions of criminals

Extradition

the return of criminal fugitives and runaway slaves back to states they have fled

What was required for national legislation to pass under the Articles?

Votes from at least 9 states.

What were some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Difficulties in passing laws due to needing 9+ states to agree, difficulties in amending laws and the government structure because they needed a unanimous agreement, inability to tax directly, lack of commerce regulation, and lack of a centralized military.

How did the government meet financial needs?

They didn't, but when they did get money it was from relying on voluntary assistance from the states

What happened because the government couldn't meet their financial needs?

the gov couldn't pay foreign creditors and lost foreign nations' faith and potential loans

What event demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Shay's Rebellion.

When was Shay's rebellion?

1787

What caused Shay's Rebellion?

Impoverished farmers and veterans lost their farms due to foreclosure and high state taxes.

What did Daniel Shays demand during the rebellion?

To ease financial pressures by printing more money, lowering taxes, and suspending mortgages.

What was the outcome of Shay's Rebellion?

It highlighted the lack of centralized military power and posed a threat to USA security.

What was the result of Shay's Rebellion?

A convention being held in Annapolis, Maryland about economic drawbacks caused by the confederation and how to preserve order

What did the Annapolis Convention lead to?

A more comprehensive convention in May 1787 to address the weaknesses of the Articles.

What was the sentiment towards the Articles of Confederation by 1787?

Few Americans had faith in the Articles and believed they were insufficient.

What did Congress lack under the Articles of Confederation?

A national court system and national currency.

What was the result of Rhode Island's rejection of the proposed import tax in 1782?

It stopped the plan to empower Congress to adopt a 5% import tax.